I'm not power hungry; only want to build my party: Yeddyurappa

The former Karnataka chief minister said he would campaign for the party in Bellary and would support any candidate that BJP puts up. Vicky Nanjappa reports.

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa is a relieved man. Even after his 23-day stint in jail nothing much has changed for him. His support base is intact and his residence still attracts large crowds. The man is as busy as ever.

Yeddyurappa, known as Yeddy in Karnataka, looks determined but equally bogged down, thanks to the numerous cases registered against him. During a very brief interaction with rediff.com Yeddyurappa says he has no ambitions and is not aspiring for any post. "I am not power hungry and my only intention is to build the party," he said.

"I am embarking on a state tour; the people still love me and I am going to them to seek their support," Yeddyurappa added.

When asked about the recent developments leading to the resignation of B Sriramulu, a former Karnataka minister and close aide of the Reddy brothers, Yeddyurappa preferred to remain silent. All he had to say is that the party is looking into the matter. "I will campaign for the party in Bellary and would support any candidate that my party puts up," the former chief minister said.

When asked about his downfall, Yeddyurappa said that everyone faces problems and he is a fighter. "I will fight my way through. I never considered myself big. I've always maintained that I am an ordinary foot soldier in the party. I have no aspirations for any post," he said.

Responding to allegations that he had stage-managed the boycott of the recent rally by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani, he said he had nothing to say. "I nurse no ill will against anyone. May God bless one and all, I will always pray for them," he said.

Yeddy, however, did not divulge many details about his stay in jail. "I said earlier that everyone faces hardships and I have faced them too. God is with me and I believe he will help me always, said Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa has been clearly instructed not to divulge details or share his views regarding the ongoing cases, as the matter is sub judice. He said that those who have stage-managed things against him will face stringent action. "I will come out clean I know that," Yeddyurappa added.